Monday, April 18, 2016

Monday Motivation { #bescrappy Giveaway}

Scraps are a undeniable part of sewing. In the quilting world, scraps, for the most part, are AMAZING! Especially when you happen to be a scrappy quilter. The down side is that they accumulate and multiply at a pace that would make even the most productive bunnies blush!

I am at this point in my sewing room, I have more scraps than I have sense. Last week my friend Susan from Instagram gave me the gentle nudge needed to not only organize but DO something with all of these fantastic scraps. First up is a GIVEAWAY!

While sorting through the seemingly endless piles of epic fabric beauty, the idea struck me that not everyone has a stash of scraps or they do not have the same collections that I have been accumulating. I starting making a side pile. One to give away! The decision was also made to include an Aurifil sample set, it includes all of the thread weights and a bonus Aurifil floss for your hand stitching!

The scraps included are from many designers and manufactures. There are many out of print and hard to find scraps included. The sizes are varied from tiny to really not tiny ;o) It is like a fireworks explosion at the end with all of the BEST stuff happens!

In the coming weeks there will be ideas for storage, projects and maybe more giveaways ( I found even more scraps this morning) to keep you excited about not only organizing but really being able to USE your scraps!

Susan is on Instgram only, if you do not know her...she is AMAZING! Prolific quilter does not even come close to what she is! She is a piecing machine! This is what she has been working on in just the past week! And look at that lovely pile of scraps in the upper left box!

This first week we are just sharing our piles of scraps! How big are your scrap piles? If you are on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Ello, or anywhere else ( there is always someplace new) and want to share your scrappy projects, ideas, organization or piles of lovely scraps please use the hashtag #bescrappy and tag me ( gogokim) and Susan so we can see what you are up to!

The fabulous giveaway will be as many lovely scraps as I can assemble by Friday ( there are already almost a basket filled to the top) and a sample set of Aurifil thread!

To enter for your chance to win, I will be using Rafflecopter with a few different ways to enter. You can just do one or to increase your chances of winning you can do all :o) The giveaway is open internationally and will close 23 April at 11pm EST. A random winner will be chosen through Rafflecopter on or about 25 April ( weekends are crazy here).

I use clear plastic containers with lids (repurposed salad containers from Costco that I can stack on shelves) to organize all my scraps by colour and size. I like to cut, sort & store my scraps as I finish projects - which has the double benefits of keeping things tidy and to keep from having to re-press the same bits of fabric over and over.

I put my scraps (all sizes and colors) in bins. Some are separated like, batiks, Thimbleberries and pastels. When I need something I dig through it on my hands and knees on the floor. Very glamorous I know. ;-> Thanks for the very generous giveaway! Toni Anne

I store my scraps in a couple of different ways. I have a wooden box for selvages which got overgrown so now there's a huge glass vase full of them and a wooden box. I store my cotton scraps in a metal basket so I can see them but they are starting to overflow and I'm going to need to start sorting by color. Next up is the hour basket which houses all my batik scraps and so far I've been able to contain them in the basket. Thanks for the giveaway and I can't wait to see what others are doing with their scraps!

I know ironing them and sorting them by color is a sensible way to store scraps, but honestly, mine are chaos! Some are sorted by color, but few are cut to uniform sizes or anything like that. I use a lot of them for paper piecing so I really don't know what sizes I will need which makes me hesitant to cut them up. So I'm not one to take pointers from!

I would say more of my projects are scrappy than not. I <3 scraps. I love a good sampler quilt -- all scrappy. Good stuff all around. Actually, when we moved into this house, I built a cutting table made specifically to store my scraps beneath.

I sort mine by color and size. I don't sub cut into to specific shapes. I just keep anything a fat eighth or larger together and then anything smaller I sort into strings, really smalls (around 2 1/2 in.) and then everything else.

I have a specific project in mind that needs lots of 2.5" squares, so if I have a funny/odd shaped scrap and can manage it I'll try to cut one out. I also have plans for an epic EPP hexie quilt so I also try to eek one of those out of my scraps. Thanks for the giveaway!

I have a tough time controlling scraps too... but find that if I cut them into usable sizes (1.5", 2.5", 3.5", 5" squares or strips) and then store them according to size, I use them WAY quicker! And it's a lot easier to control ;)

I have smallish totes with lids. I keep strips in one, squares in another, and random pieces in a bigger one. I don't have enough just yet to justify separating by color, but that seems sensible if you're trying to find certain colors for a project. I also have begun a bin my kids can play with- they used to have access to all my scraps, but it was getting a bit out of hand.

I store my scraps in colour order in fabric baskets I've made. The fabric baskets are made in the colour of what scraps will be stored in it. I also currently store triangle cut offs in a jar, so I can admire them and can piece them together later without having to hunt for them.

I store my scraps in a large plastic container and organize it by colour. Every year I go through it and reorganize it. I once had this great idea to cut some scraps into squares of different sizes but that was time consuming and I quickly lost interest.

I cut my scraps into the largest squares I can up to 5" and the rest I sort by colours . I keep long pieces for strip quilts and small odd shaped pieces for crumb blocks. Since I changed to this method I have found that I use my scraps much more than when they were just stuffed into a box.

This is a timely series, I've just been organising my fabric collection to move house, put all my fat quarters and yardage neatly into some plastic tubs, but I have no idea how to organize all the scraps. Obviously I can't throw them out because they might be useful. Currently I have them all stuffed into a bag, help me!

Scraps are my favorite!!! I keep every bit! Small pieces I keep in a large jar that also provides cute decoration in my sewing room. Larger scraps are sorted by color and in a roll bin right next to my sewing machine, far quarters are folded and sorted by color and larger pieces are on comic boards. I work best in an organized space! 💕🙌🏼

I definitely recommend sorting by color, but my most scrap friendly tip would be keep your scrap bins accessible. If you can just clear scraps right away into the (sorted) bins as you work, it doesn't become a hassle.

I love working with scraps! I sort by colour and keep them folded in Ikea clear storage boxes. My local quit shop has huge wheeled baskets (skeps) of scraps, I love to dig in for treasure! Thanks for the chance to win!

I store some by color in bins but i love my large basket rthat just has a mashup. Other peoples scraps are my favorite I sort them by size and cut and my fav designers. Its a great way to sew QAL or charity blocks

I store my scraps by shape and size. If something is an odd shape, I will cut it down to the largest square or strip I can then add it to the baggie with the rest that size. The largest I cut is a 10" square. If it is larger than that it goes in a tub of "chunks" that is organized by color.Sandy A

What a fabulous giveaway and I am looking forward to hearing more about scrappy quilting. Being a beginner I thought a few little jars would be a good idea to put my smaller pieces in but some are already overflowing. I will have to rethink my scrap system.

I've been quilting for about 18 months now and have three bins of scraps. I've already gone through them once and pulled out a lot of the blue and yellow and I'm currently working on a scrappy project but I would certainly love to have more scraps!

I can't wait to see what you do! Bonnie Hunter has the best plan for sorting and using scraps. I haven't gotten there yet, lol. I do have scraps, but right now they are in a box from the move. I have to get a sewing desk, and then I can get them organized.

I have not come to a good way to keep my scraps. I did try cutting them all down to 2 inch squares a few years ago....now I have a basket full of 2 inch squares which made 3 quilts but doesn't look any smaller. And besides that, I've created so many more scraps ;)

This is a lovely giveaway! Thank you so much! I store my scraps by color. Modern and reproduction and print and solid are kept separate. I tend to cut my scraps in squares, but keep larger parts as they are. I leave them in plastic containers. It works for me, but I am always on the look out for newer organizing methods! I think the organization helps so much in whether I tend to use the scraps or not.cottonpaperflowers at gmail dot com

I saw your post on Instagram yesterday and can't wait to see what you create with your stash that will inspire us to get using ours. I have my stash sorted by colour for larger pieces in clear plastic bins, I also have smaller pieces sorted into bins depending on their size. Everything goes into a bin in front of my sewing machine to be sorted when there is a pile.

i cut my scraps up every few weeks in and stack them in 5 inch charms 2in half 3 inch extra....And i have a bag of strips......But mostly i try to do them up in donation quilts so i dont get overwhelmed... happyness04431@yahoo.com

I've read a ton of scrap storage plans and they've made my head bounce around like a ping-pong ball! I finally decided to cut my scraps into strips measuring 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 5 inches. This way I can use them as strips or cut off the squares as needed.

I absolutely love sewing scraps!!! They are perfect for QAYG! I love using this technique to make pouches & any small projects! It's a great way to take small pieces of fabric to make something unique & beautiful! Thank you so much for this giveaway!!!

My *current* scrap storage system is on big bucket for large scraps and two jars for low volume and dark tiny scraps. My favorite scrap system I have seen are the color coded fabric baskets. So pretty!

I am just starting to accumulate scraps so right now they are in plastic jars, the kind you get at Costco when you buy nuts. They are clear so I can see what is in each. I need to start sorting by color, though. tljeo(at) yahoo(dot)com

I have tried storing them by size but that was hard to keep up so Now I just store them by color in clear shoeboxes. I do alot of paper piecing and that system has worked out well for me. Thanks for a great giveaway. I won a bag of scraps a couple of years ago and it was a real treasure!

I try and cut my leftovers into strips, then sort them in cutlery baskets, according to color and width. But I'm not very good at keeping up with it and many of my scraps are crammed into plastic storage drawers. But at least I know where they are. Thanks for this awesome giveaway. Aurifil thread is the best!

Thank you for the awesome giveaway. I cut my scraps into squares, strips, etc so I have them ready to use when I need them. Some of them are as small as 1 1/2 inches to larger 3 1/2 inches. After cutting them, I then put them in clear plastic containers which I have labeled according to size. That way they are easy to find and ready to use.

I keep my solids and prints separate. I also separate into strings, and large scraps. I've only recently began saving smaller scraps- for now I'm throwing them in a pyrex bowl untilI can decide what constitutes a small scrap.

Well, since I am a newbie quilter, my scraps don't amount to much yet. I plan to organize them by color in plastic drawers/or totes. I would love to win your collection of scraps that I might create something wonderfully scrappy with them!

I LOVE my scraps. I use my scraps. I am a scrappy quilter. I store mine in plastic bins sorted by sizes and color.I always can use more scraps,I love using other people's scraps too. Lol!Dmac5958ataoldotcom

Hiya!!! I am a scrap collector. I even have my guild members bring me their scraps. If they're too small for me to use, I put them in dog beds for the local shelter. Right now I use the plastic shoe box bins to separate by color. I do like Lori Holts' way of storing by size and color too. Thanks for having the giveaway, it's very generous of you. Blessed be, hugs!!!

Three things that have led me to use my scraps more often:1. Sort them by color- at my house that's red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, multicolor, cream/brown and black/white/gray2. Store them in clear containers3. Put them in plain view in your sewin space Can you tell that I love my scraps? I confess it makes me sad and a little panicky when I start to run out of them?

I store most of my scraps in two baskets and a pillow case. The two baskets hold the bigger scraps and the pillow case is filled sewed shut and donated to the local animal shelter for kittens. They either wash them or just toss them when soiled.

My favorite scrap tip is...plastic drawers. I have a set of 5 on rollers! 2 colors per drawer and when they get full, I cut to the largest size and organize from there! Then I love to make postage stamp quilts!

I cut my scraps in strips in sizes I use often and store them in plastic containers. Also keep a container of just 1.5" squares and one for 1.25" squares. Odd size pieces go in a large container. I do keep a basket on my cutting table where I put little leftover pieces in. Makes it convenient when I am making a scrappy block to just use stuff in the basket! Thanks for the chance to win.

I am constantly on the lookout for the "best" scrap storage system, but am trying to accept that when you're congenitally messy, there may not be one!! I do adore scraps, and I have my fingers crossed to get some of yours!!

If the pieces are large enough, like leftover strips, into a box to make pieced backs for quilts, smaller but good size into a box for applique and if there a really large pieces, then back to the stash for use in other projects.

I have scraps stored into plastic zip bags by color, scraps stored in plastic storage draws by sizes and scraps stuffed into plastic sacks with no organization. When I have time I cut my scraps into usable sizes (strips/ charms) or strings for string blocks.

Storing in a container that I can see through so I can see what I have. Scraps are too easily forgotten and piled under. Usually by color family...Recently I've been making muslin bags, and stitching a scrap of the color family(ies) like orange, coral, etc to the outside of the bag. Then I can at least look at my scrap to see what color might be inside the bag.

I found if I put scraps away I don't use them so I try to keep a bag with the recent project in it. When I finish the quilt I try to use up as much of the scraps leftover in making the back. Then I quit it and what I cut off I put in a strings bag. The rest gets put in a bag and waits for a scrap quit moment to strike. Notice this probably is not the best but I have made a scrap quit about every 10th quilt lately. So I am using some of it up. :)

I store my larger scraps - 4" and up - by colour in plastic bins and my smaller scraps are sorted by size in smaller plastic bins - I also save strips and triangles ! If I'm making blocks for our DoGood stitches group I'll often go to the scrap boxes first ! I would love to add some of your scraps to mine !! thanks :) daisyandjack at hotmail.com

I sort my scraps a few different ways. All my nautical stay together, all my batik, all solids, and all Christmas. From there, the rest is sorted by color into bins and Ziploc bags. makes it easy to grab what I need when I need it.

I sort my scraps by size. When I'm completely done with a quilt, I cut my scraps with a rotary cutter into the biggest strip I can,and store them by size. I've been thinking about sorting by color though.

I sort my scraps by size. When I'm completely done with a quilt, I cut my scraps with a rotary cutter into the biggest strip I can,and store them by size. I've been thinking about sorting by color though.

I like to have a place for everything, my quilting teacher once said that every Friday she cleaned up her sewing room even if she was in the middle of a sewing project so I try to do the same. My scraps are contained in clear bins and sorted by colour and then by types for example, flannels, civil war, children's and novelty etc, my sewing room is in a bedroom so my hubby put shelves in the closet and they nestle there really well. I can get them easily.